GAUVIN: Harmony rules in council chamber(as way is paved for Klimmís return

Written by Paul Gauvin

December 23, 2011

It was indeed a pleasure to watch last Thursday’s spirited town council gathering, the most harmonious one in a long time and one filled with hope for the future.

Of course we’re talking about the 19 or so fresh, young faces and practiced voices of the Barnstable High School Chamber Choir that opened the meeting with more harmony in one minute than the council itself had been able to muster in a year.

Directed by Chairman Jayson Newell of the BHS Music Department, the students worked together to deliver surprisingly skilled holiday entertainment, and in so doing offered up a lesson to the new town council: You can sing in a different key with a different voice but you can do it in harmony to deliver a desired effect pleasing to all ears.

We extend kudos to maestro Newell and to those delightful students for such a gratifying holiday gift.

As for the town council, it’s over.

The intrigue, the plotting, the concealment, the mystery, the sniping, the galling silence and embarrassing pain of politics…all of it dissipated at last week’s anticlimactic meeting that has left the loyal opposition as deflated as popped balloons at a birthday party.

The majority council cabal that supports the return of former manager John Klimm re-elected itself to leadership positions without fanfare and, judging by its vote, added four new members to its ranks.

In the process, it diminished the new council to 11 “in” members, the other two – Ann Canedy of Barnstable Village and John Norman of Marsons Mills - banished to political Siberia at the far end of the dais.

In the spirit of Christmas, the people who elected Canedy and Norman may want to send them some warm clothing and hot chocolate to survive what could be a long, frigid winter if they continue what the other side sees as contrariness.

Even newbie town councilor Jennifer Cullum of Precinct 13, who was not involved in the Great 2011 Council Conspiracy, spoke kindly but untimely words that unfortunately could be taken as snide commentary. She said that she was “sorry” Canedy felt marginalized, considering her notable work ethic. It was an observation that could be taken as twisting the knife since Canedy herself had already pointed that out and didn’t need reaffirmation. It implied a “go along to get along” message that could needlessly bruise the loyal opposition and continue the schism.

Being assigned seats for politically symbolic reasons at the far end of the dais is akin to sending restive students to the back of the class. In this case, it is no way to return civility and fairness to council proceedings.

As the iconic Godfather advises, “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” There is no reason that Canedy, in particular, now a veteran councilor in her third term of accumulated experience, could not be in a position befitting her veteran status. At any rate, seating arrangements may mean something to the inner sanctum but are of little note to the public at large swirling about in the orbit of life’s endless quotidian duties.

It is doubtless now that if Klimm, who must be struggling to contain his ego as these victories unfold, wants to get back on the payroll as the city’s first-ever unelected mayor and probably name his price and conditions to boot, a new contract will be served on a silver platter between the heads of former councilors James Crocker and Hank Farnham. You will remember they were run over by the Klimm bulldozer in November’s local election after being part of the group orchestrating his ouster.

Perhaps it is telling that nobody on the council or anywhere else for that matter seems to be talking about the daunting task at hand of finding a new tenant for the corner office. Maybe that’s because the die is already cast for Klimm’s return. The charade is over.

If there is one thing people in politics learn, it is that the electorate has a short memory. The disturbing events of the year that caused the vitriolic rift between council factions are already nearly forgotten and people busy with holiday shopping, worries about jobs and money, about rising costs and declining income, are weary of politics and all levels.

It’s the season for thinking nice thoughts about peace, prosperity and other illusions as an old year ends and a new one begins.